New Tool Helps Manage Multiple Meds
Identify potential drug interactions
Move over “aging in place” and make room for “polypharmacy,” the newest buzz phrase in the senior services industry. Polypharmacy generally refers to the use of multiple medications by a patient, often when they are not clinically warranted. Many seniors have multiple physicians who might not be aware of all the medications each patient is taking. When a new prescription is written without that knowledge, harmful drug interactions or changes in effectiveness could occur.
Polypharmacy is most common among people over age 65. Approximately one-fifth of them take at least 10 medications a week. The Institute of Medicine estimates that at least 1.5 million adverse drug events occur in the United States every year, thousands of them fatal. Studies indicate that about one-third of these drug reactions among senior citizens—and 42% of serious, life-threatening, or fatal events—are preventable.
Hospitals nationwide have established requirements that a total identification of all medications taken by a patient be completed and analyzed before admission, and that all prescriptions be written by a hospitalist and filled at a single pharmacy. A hospital discharge planning team is now mandated to review all medications with the patient before discharge to home.
To address this growing concern, especially among the elderly and their families, Aging with Grace is offering the Rx Guardian, a program to help identify potential drug interactions, allergic reactions, and possible drug efficacy. The Rx Guardian provides a tool to better manage information about multiple medications. The process is easy, just three short steps: Click on this link and list all of your medications—prescription, over the counter, vitamins, and herbal supplements; provide some information about your health; and enter your email address and a password. You will have immediate access to current FDA drug recalls and warnings.
It takes less than a minute to get informed and stay informed about your medications, and it’s free!
By Patricia Grace
Aging with Grace Blog
Our Silver Advisors™ are professional geriatric care managers and other experts who provide phone consultations on preventing falls, navigating Medicare, evaluating senior driving challenges, and other issues baby boomers must resolve while caring for an aging loved one. Silver Advisors clarify concerns, suggest a plan of action, help prioritize next steps, and furnish personalized written plans and recommendations. All callers receive a complimentary 15-minute consultation.
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